Acres of Books in Long Beach may be closing. (This picture is from their website.) After a total of 74 years in business, the property where the store has sat since the 1960s has been sold to Long Beach's Redevelopment Agency.Is it mean to wonder if maybe it's time? A musty bookstore with hidden treasures may be every bibliophiles' private fantasy, but how many of us actually go and shop there?
We change. At least, I've changed. I get my books through Amazon and other streamlined sites (virtual or real). I want cheap prices (which Acres of Books certainly has), but convenience and speed are factors, too.
A long drive holds no appeal. Browsing the dimly-lit canyons of books, wondering what treasures lie on the highest shelves, doesn't whet my appetite. To be blunt, I know what book I want, and like Veruca Salt I want it now! Besides, the dust and cat hair trigger allergies
The first visit to Acres of Books was memorable and fun. The last--not so much. If I've become a Philistine, I suspect I'm not alone. If the fans of Acres of Books were truly supporting the business and going there to shop, would the store be in danger of closing? Relocating, maybe, but closing?
Acres of Books seemed like a little time machine, transporting us to a more relaxed era. The Los Angeles Times reports that Acres of Books actually holds 6 1/2 miles of shelves, and I believe them. Everyone knows the store and loves it and in a perfect world all the places we love--even fleetingly--would remain accessible. But in a market-driven world, it's not the places we love but the places where we spend our money that survive.
Heartless. But while some sites are worth fighting to preserve, others have a good run and their time passes.
2 comments:
I have visited Acres of Books 4 or 5 times a year (for 30 years)! This no frills secondhand bookstore has always been affordable, had tons of current and out of print material, and (for a booklover) has been a pleasure to browse through. I hope they can relocate.
I have gone to Acres of Books 4 or 5 times a year (for 30 years)! This no frills secondhand bookstore has always been affordable, had tons of current and out of print materials, and (for a booklover) has been a pleasure to browse through. I hope they can relocate.
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